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Dry Skin?

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • nomrbddgsN

    I'll put my two cents in-it may or may not help you. With the Boxenji, Zina, I've gone through many different kinds of food. I've found grain free doesn't always mean grain free. IMO, flax is a grain. I gave Zina 'grain free' food, and she still blew up like a balloon and had itchy face and feet. I switched to Orijen, which has no grains, or lettuce or flax seeds, by the way, and she's doing wonderful. Beautiful skin and coat and best of all itchies are limited! No dry skin, and for her size, (65 lbs) I feed her about maybe 3 cups total a day and she's gained weight as well. She didn't do well on raw either which is why I switched. I don't know if this is an option for you. Orijen is basically a baked raw food. I use the fish mix. Stinks like …. but works great.

    Arlene, the Basenji Brats with the Boxenji![](images/smilies/biggrin.png "Big Grin")

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  • snorky998S

    Thank you for the suggestions and links. I think I'll try the 3V caps first as food changes are hard on the old man.

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  • tanzaT

    I just prick the 3V Caps with a pin and squeeze out the liquid into the food… doesn't have much of a taste.

    Snorky998 brings up a good point about changing the diet and a good reason to vary your dogs food... It is hard on the elders to change the diet as they age... I went through that with my elders.... So, by changing their food (or rotating), I think it makes it easier and keeps their interest in eating when they really get old...

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • renaultf1R

    @tanza:

    I just prick the 3V Caps with a pin and squeeze out the liquid into the food… doesn't have much of a taste.

    Snorky998 brings up a good point about changing the diet and a good reason to vary your dogs food... It is hard on the elders to change the diet as they age... I went through that with my elders.... So, by changing their food (or rotating), I think it makes it easier and keeps their interest in eating when they really get old...

    Pat, how often do you rotate food?

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  • lvossL

    I rotate about every month. A bag of food lasts about a month in my house so I just buy a different brand the next time I buy food. I rotate about 3 foods.

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  • snorky998S

    Rotate with a few days of mixing? or just a straight change?

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  • K

    I pretty much do the same as Lisa.

    When I switch bags, I mix 50/50 for a couple days.

    Kelli Harmon

    Kiroja Basenjis

    Southgate, MI USA

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  • KanangaK

    Well i've noticed so far that the fish oil has made a difference. I see far less flaking of his skin and he isn't scratching as much. His coat also seems to be much better. He still has some dry spots but they are improving. So far so good.

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  • renaultf1R

    @Kananga:

    Well i've noticed so far that the fish oil has made a difference. I see far less flaking of his skin and he isn't scratching as much. His coat also seems to be much better. He still has some dry spots but they are improving. So far so good.

    Glad it is working. Wait 'til you see how soft his coat gets from fish oil. I call Ruby the "mink basenji" :D and even Brando, who has a much coarser coat normally, now has a velvet coat.

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  • LunasL

    I use Derma Caps for Cairo. He has always had dry skin and scratches some of his hair off. This was recommended by his vet and it works great.

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  • KanangaK

    Well the fish oil has been working, although he has a few patches that seem very thinned out. Mainly on his sides near is legs. Is this normal while they are blowing their coat? The skin doesn't seem irritated but his coat in those areas is very rough. Just want to make sure it's nothing that needs attention by a vet.

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  • snorky998S

    Just received our 3V Caps and I hope they help. Thanks Tanza!

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  • tanzaT

    @snorky998:

    Just received our 3V Caps and I hope they help. Thanks Tanza!

    Hope they work for you… I have always thought that they did... and cheap enough...

    Of course with these old kids... it is difficult sometimes to see changes.... but can't hurt.....

    Let me know how it goes...

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • F

    Stella has very short hair, and she is flaky a lot (in more ways than one!!) Do you need a prescription for the omega3 or fish oil? Or can you just the human equivalent at cvs?

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  • tanzaT

    @FortheLoveofStella:

    Stella has very short hair, and she is flaky a lot (in more ways than one!!) Do you need a prescription for the omega3 or fish oil? Or can you just the human equivalent at cvs?

    Human equivalent is fine to use

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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    jessi76J
    you could use olive oil, also fish oil works very well, and flaxseed oil is yet another. there are other supplements you could add for a better coat too, minerals and vitamins. I'm fond of sea meal - contains minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and flaxseed meal. you should find out if it's truly just dry skin though. sometimes it can be cleared up w/ just a change in food.